NEXT week’s Betfred Old Roan Chase at Aintree is set to be named in honour of three-time winner Monet’s Garden.

The popular grey beat Kauto Star in the 2007 renewal of the Grade Two handicap, and was also successful at his beloved Aintree in 2009 and 2010.

The last of his wins was his final competitive start due to a hoof infection that threatened his life.

Thankfully the Nicky Richards’ 13-year-old is now fully recovered and is set to parade at Aintree ahead of the Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase on October 22.

Richards said: “I am delighted that the Old Roan Chase will be run in honour of Monet’s Garden.

“It’s great news for myself, David (Wesley Yates, owner), my daughter Joey and the old horse himself.

“He looks grand at the moment and hopefully he will head to Aintree to parade in front of the crowds. It’s been well documented how close we came to losing the old boy last winter but he’s full of beans now.

“The response that we have received since Monet’s Garden got injured has been tremendous. It’s quietened off a little bit now but we still get cards in the post most weeks. Every time I go racing, people from all walks of life come up to me and ask about him, which is fantastic.

“All three of his wins in the Old Roan were very special and he beat some very high-class horses. It was always a track that seemed to suit him and we had some fantastic days at Aintree.

“It was made all the more special because David lives just down the road from the course. The Aintree racegoers really took the horse to their hearts and he always received a great reception in the winner’s enclosure.

“You could really see the love they had for him.”

Richards is likely to be represented in this year’s renewal by another grey, Noble Alan, who parted company with Brian Hughes at the second when in contention in a Listed race at Market Rasen last time.

Richards added: “The plan is for Noble Alan to run in the race this year, providing the ground is decent

“He was travelling very well before he unseated Brian Harding but Aintree will no doubt be a stronger race for him. We will go there, take our chance with him and hopefully he can run very well.”